Careers Guidance Information

Rationale

The Westley Middle School careers education programme provides our students with the opportunity to plan and manage their careers effectively, ensuring progression which is ambitious and aspirational. It promotes equality of opportunity, celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes. It is designed to meet the Gatsby benchmarks and conforms to statutory requirements.

Context

Westley Middle School is committed to providing all students in Years 7 and 8 with a careers programme which is embedded into the curriculum and includes a variety of enrichment activities. The programme has been developed in line with the eight Gatsby benchmarks for ensuring best practice and to meet the requirements of the Department for Education’s statutory guidance 2018.

The Gatsby Benchmarks

A stable careers programme
Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each student
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experience of work places
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

Aim

We aim to support students to make realistic and informed decisions about their future, by raising aspirations and providing impartial and independent information and guidance.

Objectives

To ensure that students:

develop the skills and attitudes necessary for success in adult and working life
are aware of the range of opportunities which are realistically available to them in continued education and training at 14+, 16+ and 18+
are equipped with the necessary decision-making skills to manage those same transitions
develop an awareness of the wide variety of education, training and careers opportunities both locally and nationally
use effectively the paper-based, virtual and staff resources available so they can make informed and appropriate choices throughout their school journey
benefit from links fostered between the school, local businesses and further education establishments
experience the world of work and develop transferable skills
wherever possible leave the school to enter employment, further education or training
experience a culture of high aspirations, equality of opportunity, in which diversity is celebrated and stereotypes are challenged
receive extra assistance and guidance to reach their potential, where this is necessary

Provision

Careers provision is mapped against the Gatsby benchmarks. The current careers programme is delivered through a combination of methods, including explicit lessons provided within the taught PSHE programme in Years 5 and Year 7.

Several special events are held and joint ventures with County Upper School, West Suffolk College and other schools in the Unity Schools Partnership

Roles and responsibilities

All staff contribute to the implementation of this policy through their role as tutors and as subject specialists. Subject specialists embed careers into their subject area. A range of connections between Higher education providers and employers are forged and developed to support the curriculum through KS3 to 5.

Careers team

Mrs F Hart : SLT lead and strategic lead for careers
Mrs M Lallaway: Leader of Careers festival

Monitoring, Recording and Evaluation

Built into the careers programme are opportunities for students to self-evaluate and reflect on their learning at key points. Students develop a profile through which their activities and skills development can be recorded and monitored by staff including form tutors and the careers coordinator.

Careers and SEND provision.

Every pupil with SEND follows the same programme of careers as their peers, with adaption and support from the SEND team where appropriate.

Students with SEND have regular reviews with the SEND lead to support their career aspirations. Students can self-refer and form tutors are also able to raise concerns. If current provision cannot fully address a pupil’s additional need, advice will be sought from the National Careers Service.

The SENDCO meets with parents/careers to discuss the individuals needs.

Entitlement · Please see Appendix A outlining pupil and parent entitlement.

Partnerships

We work closely with local employers and other schools to look at the best opportunities to support our students. A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to students and/or their parents. In addition, we work closely with universities and the local FE College. We always strive to expand and improve our contacts.

Appendix A: Careers Entitlement

Students attending the School are in their careers programme entitled to:

Receive a stable careers programme from Year 7 that continues until they leave school
Receive relevant careers guidance and have access to independent careers information and guidance, including labour market data where relevant.
Receive personal advice that helps students to achieve their individual careers goal – whether this is Higher Education, an apprenticeship or employment.
Be equipped with the necessary skills to prosper in HE and employment.
Have the relevant knowledge to make realistic and achievable goals based on their own interests and skills, whilst taking into account local job market information and relevant entry requirements.
Receive up-to-date information about careers and skill-development opportunities.
Understand how different subjects help keep different options open.
Have access to additional help, whether this need is generated from a change of decision, personal circumstances or additional needs.
Have meaningful and helpful encounters with employers and other education providers.
Have a minimum of one week’s work experience, with the opportunity for a second.

Students are expected to:

Fully engage with careers lessons and activities.
Identify and set goals for the future.
Actively participate in workshops, presentations and visits from external employers or providers.
Attend informative events such as Options Evening and the Careers fair.
Use study and research spaces such as the library appropriately and with respect for other users.
Take advantage of opportunities offered outside school, such as school trips and projects.

Parents are entitled to have:

Access to links to the National Careers Service information and other independent websites and resources via the school website.
The opportunity to contact the independent careers advisor, careers lead and careers coordinator.
Access to information and guidance through parent information evenings including choosing options, UCAS, work experience and pupil finance.